6-10-2026 Latham's Last Words: Pride Month Interviews: James G. Carlson

It's Pride Month and I've gathered some interviews with some amazing LGBTQIA+ authors which I will be posting throughout the month.

James has this positive energy about him. You can't help but feel at ease in his presence. He's always a joy to be around.

Tell us a little about yourself.

My name is James Carlson. I’m an author, editor, and publisher from Pennsylvania. Over the last twelve years, my partner and I have fostered and adopted several rescue animals, and that endeavor has become our passion. At present, we have seven dogs, two cats, a skunk, a squirrel, and two pigs. When I’m not caring for animals and maintaining the family home, I’m either on an editing job or a writing project. Editing is work—albeit very satisfying work for an OCD person like myself—and writing is what I absolutely love, whether I make money from it or not. The reading and writing community is my scene, and I value it greatly. 

How important do you think queer representation in horror is?

I believe queer representation is crucial in all genres, including horror. Many people would admit that the arts wouldn’t be what they are today without LGBTQ+ works. The LGBTQ+ community is nothing new. In fact, as long as there have been people on Earth, especially in the more recent evolutionary steps of our species, I suspect there have been queer and trans people. It’s as natural as anything else we are. And yet, some still hate us. They try to silence queer voices. They seek to make us invisible. Sometimes, worse. That breaks my heart. And that struggle is in every piece of LGBTQ+ art, making it even more genuine, revealing, precious, and felt.  

To date, Angelique Jordonna and I have released three annual We’re Here charity anthologies to benefit The Trevor Project. We have raised upwards of $2,000 so far, which isn’t bad for an indie project. These books feature some great LGBTQ+ voices, as well as a few allies, and readers have responded favorably to their stories.   

Tell us about your most recent release, or an upcoming release.

My last two books were collections, though they each feature a novella in addition to the short stories. I released Underwater Typewriter & Other Tales, then The Legion Machine and Other Abominations. Both books show my style and range, blending elements of horror, sci-fi, bizarro, dark fantasy, and social and political satire. Currently, I’m working on a few projects. The first is a collaborative novel with Aaron Lebold, a bizarro psychological thriller tentatively titled And the Platypuses Cast Off Their Bills in Defiance (no release date yet). I’m also working on a novella that may become a novel, a Victorian noir meets weird cosmic horror, The House on Dark Hollow Road (no release date yet).  

Which character you've created is your favorite and why?

To date, my favorite character that I’ve written is Madeline Sharpe (from my novel The Eleventh Door). She’s a deeply flawed yet good person, with a dark past and present demons. And I think that makes her relatable. Plus, who doesn’t love a strong female main character?

Where can readers find your books?

My books are spread across the marketplace: Amazon, Godless, Barnes & Noble, etc. Also, if interested readers contact me on social media, I will always send signed copies of my books by mail. I try to keep my books reasonably priced because I’m indie and want to remain indie. Besides, we live in these troubled times, and money isn’t in huge supply for real everyday people. Most of us are scraping by, so prices should reflect that, especially in the arts.

Where can readers follow you on Social Media? 

I’m on most social media platforms—Facebook, Instagram, X, Bluesky, etc—but I’m mostly on Facebook (yeah, I realize that shows my age). All of my accounts are under my name, James G. Carlson.